High school students need to plan out what they need to do for their college application. They should be aware of what requirements and files they ought to submit to their school of choice.

For college application essays, candidates should keep it short and sweet. Make sure that it focuses on one moment in your life where you were able to achieve your very best. However, it should not be about these four over-used topics: writing about someone else, your mission trip, how you were able to make a comeback from a sport injury and your time at camp.

Even during freshman year, students should already start planning for their college application. There are different things that they need to do for every year in high school.

Meanwhile, U.S. News reported that a new online platform has been created to "transform" the college application process. It is developed by a group of over 90 selective universities across the nation to equip students with a set of free tools that will help them with the college search process.

The online platform will also allow them to create a portfolio of their work, customize their applications as well as get feedback from teachers and friends. The group is called the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. It consists of eight Ivy League universities and several public universities, including Clemson University (South Carolina), Ohio State University - Columbus and the University of Florida.

Moreover, the platform is expected to help improve college access for low-income students as well. In order for a private school to be a part of the coalition, it should be able to provide enough financial aid to meet the need of every U.S. student admitted. Public schools should offer affordable tuition as well as need-based aid to in-state residents.

Another requirement of the group is that schools should be able to graduate at least 70 percent of undergraduates within six years. Currently, about 90 out of 140 schools were able to meet the qualifications and have joined the group.